A FAMILY TREE

Polytheism
Belief in many gods

OF

RELIGIOUS GROUPS
Atheism
No belief in God

Monotheism
Belief in one God

Primitive Tribal Religions

Gods seen throughout nature Animism Ancestor worship

Judaism
Moses Law (Torah) Rabbinical commentary (Talmud)

Christianity
Jesus ChristOnly Son of God The Trinity Old and New Testaments Salvation in Christ alone Seven Ecumenical Councils

Islam
Muhammad and Koran primary authorities

Atheists and Nonreligious

Reject supernaturalism

Buddhism
Only major religion that does not teach a living God (some forms have impersonal deities) Reincarnation Nirvana Meditation, self-denial, search for peace, enlightenment

Hinduism
Thousands of gods Reincarnation Karma

New Age Religion

God is in all things (pantheism) No sin Channeling, astrology, self-fulfillment, mysticism Connections to both Christianity and Eastern cults

Roman Catholic Church

Papal supremacy Priest as mediator between man and God Veneration of Mary/saints Works/grace vital to salvation Liturgical worship centered in Lords Supper Purgatory

Protestantism
Originated in 16th-century break with Roman Catholic Church (Reformation) Led by Luther, Zwingli, Calvin Justification by grace through faith Scripture is sole authority for faith and life Priesthood of all believers

Eastern Orthodoxy
Eastern Mediterranean churches split from Roman Catholic Church Rejects papal supremacy Authority in bishops Highly liturgical, ancient, and symbolic worship Veneration of icons

Greek Orthodox

Russian Orthodox

Other national/ ethnic churches

Lutheran
Martin Luther Reformation theology Creeds Infant baptism Liturgical worship

Anglican
Combines Protestant and Catholic ideas Book of Common Prayer Scripture is authoritative guide Emphasizes worship over creeds Infant baptism Episcopal form of government

Reformed
Flows from theology of Zwingli and Calvin Sovereignty of God Predestination Limited atonement Eternal security Inerrancy of Scripture Emphasis on creeds Infant baptism Presbyterian form of government

Anabaptist/Believers Churches
Seeks to restore New Testament Christianity Adult baptism only Bible is manual for church government Missionary minded Stresses independence Simple worship Congregational form of government

Pentecostal-Charismatic
Holy Spirit oriented Speaking in tongues End times focus Divine healing Missionary minded Originated in 20th century from roots in the Holiness Movement

Church of Scotland Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Episcopal
Emphasizes beauty of worship Appeals to affluent

Mennonites
Pacifist Simple lifestyle

Methodist
Stems from 18thcentury revival led by John and Charles Wesley Salvation available to all Arminian Sanctification as second work Christian perfection in this life Missionary minded

Presbyterian
Westminster Confession Both liberal and conservative groups Worship centers on preaching

Church of the Brethren

Churches of Christ/Disciples of Christ/ Christian Church

Salvation occurs at baptism Emphasize mental assent to faith Weekly Communion

Quakers (Friends)
Mystic; the Inner Light No clergy, liturgy, or sacraments Social ministry emphasis Pacifist

United Church of Christ

Pilgrim fathers church Ecumenical

Jesus Only Pentecostals

Nontrinitarian Baptism in the name of Jesus only Baptism of the Holy Spirit is spiritual power, not purity

Baptistic Pentecostals
Two works of grace Baptism of the Holy Spirit is spiritual power, not purity

African Methodist Episcopal Church

19th-century split based on racial issues

Independent Bible Churches

Fundamentalist Independent Antiecumenical Calvinist

Baptist
Largest block of North American Protestants Most are Calvinist

United Methodist
Combines evangelical and liberal Methodists Social activism Progressive sanctification Pastors appointed by bishops

United Church of Canada

Merger of Methodists and Presbyterians

Plymouth Brethren

Southern Baptist National Baptist Conv. (U.S.A.) Progressive Baptist Conv.

National Baptist Conv. (Am.) American Baptist

United Pentecostal Church

Assemblies of God International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

Wesleyan-Holiness Churches
Born out of the 19th-century holiness revivals Accepted pietism emphasis Reemphasis on sanctification as second work Possibility of a sinless life Sanctification both instantaneous and progressive Revival oriented Missionary minded Simple worship Conservative in theology Emphasis on personal ethics Appeal to the poor

Holiness Pentecostals Freewill Baptists

Three works of grace: Salvation, sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit Purity and power emphasized

Wesleyan

Free Methodist

Salvation Army

Nazarene

Evangelical Friends

Church of God (Anderson)

Brethren in Christ

Pentecostal Holiness Church

Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)

Church of God in Christ

Copyright 2003 Church of the Nazarene. Used by permission of Sunday School Ministries and Holiness Today, June 2003. Created 1992 by Randy Cloud, Stan Ingersol, and William Miller. Revised 2003.